Overedge stitch forming mechanism



June 9 F. F. ZEIER ET AL 3 OVEREDGE STITCH FORMING MECHANISM Filed May 6, 1950 5 sheets-sheet 1 Jun 21, 1932. F. F. ZEIER ET AL 11 864393 OVEREDGE STITCH FORMING MECHANISM Filed May 6, 1930' 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 amnion;

June 21, 1932. F. F. ZEIER ET AL 1,864,393

OVEREDGE STITCH FORMING MECHANISM Filed May 6, 1930 5 Sheets-Shet s ixiaf 66 Q29 1 1 a nu 619 ii; 3 i :7-

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OVEREDGE STITCH FORMING MECHANISM Filed May 6, 1950 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 June 21, 1932.

F. F. ZEIER ET AL,

OVEREDGE STITCH F ORMING MECHANISM Filed May 6, 1950 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 NEE .l ll'lll lll l lnll u l'lllll llllll I v.

Patented June 21, 1932 Unitas s'rras araar FREDERICK F. ZEIER AND CHARLES F.,B.UBEL, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNORS TO UNION SPECIAL MIACHINE COMPANY, OF CHZCAGO, ILLINGIS, A GORPORATION OF ILLINOIS I OVEREDGE STITCH FORMING IvilEGI-IANISM Application filed May 6, 1936. Serial No. 450,227.

The invention relates to new and useful improvements in sewing machines, and more particularly to an overedge stitch forming mechanism therefor.

An object of the invention is to provide an overedge stitch forming mechanism including an under looper and an overedge looper both of which are mounted beneath the work support with independent trains of devices for operating the loopers from eccentrically arranged members on the main actuating shaft.

A further object of the invention is to provide an overedge stitch forming mechanism of the above character wherein the under looper is mounted on a shaft that is positively oscillated and confined in its oscillating movements by shiftable bushings so that the path of movement of the under looper may be adjusted relative to the path of movement of the needle.

A further object of the invention is to provide an overedge stitch forming mechanism of the above type wherein the overedge looper is mounted on a carrier having a sleeve adapted to oscillate. on a fixed shaft, and wherein said sleeve is confined in its oscillating movements by adjustable bushings so that the path of movement of the overedge looper may be adjusted relativeto the path of the needle.

A further object of the invention is to provide an overedge stitch forming mechanism of the above type which is provided with means for supplying a lubricant between the moving and fixed parts supporting the loopers.

In the drawings Figure 1 is a view partly in section and partly in side elevation with the cover plate removed so as to show the inner mechanism of the machine.

Fig. 2 is a view partly in section and partly in front elevation of the machine as shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a view partly in plan and partly in section showing the supporting bed and the parts immediately above the same, the actuating devices extending above the cloth plate being omitted.

Fig. 4 is a front View showing the needle, the loopers, and the actuating mechanism for the loopers with the loopers at their extreme retracted position.

Fig. 5 isa view similar to Fig. 4 but showing the loopers at a point where they cooperate with one another.

Fig. 6 is aview similar to Fig. abut showing the loopers at their extreme forward position.

Fig. 7 is a sectional view on the line 7-7" 1 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 8 is a sectional view on the line 88 of Fig.

Fig. 9 is a sectional view of F ig. 3.

The invention is directed to an overedge stitch forming mechanism for sewing machines which is provided with a work support and a feeding mechanism for feeding the material across the work support. The

on the line 9-9 main actuating shaft is located above the Work support and extending in the general direction of the feed, and is preferably 10- cated in rear of the stitching point. This main actuating shaft is mounted in a standard carried by the bed of the machine and disposed at one side of theline of-feed so as to permit the material to pass over the; worlrsupport. A needle carried by-a needle bar is directly operated from "a connection with said actuating shaft. An under looper cooperates with the needle beneath the work support and is operated by means cooperating with an eccentrically arranged member on the actuating shaft. The overedge looper is mounted beneath the work support and is operated by an independent means from another eccentric member on the main actuat ing shaft. The feeddog is moved back and forth and raised andlowered by eccentric members on this actuating shaft and these eccentric members are all arranged so as to drive the parts actuated thereby through direct connections and in a way that the power strains imposed upon the eccentrically ar-,

ranged members are well. distributed. The

under looper is fixed toa shaft which in turn.

is mounted in bushings for oscillation. The looper carrier includes a sleeve fixed to the shaft and the bushings engage the ends of the sleeve for confining the looper to oscillation in a single plane. This plane of oscillation may be adjusted by shifting the bushings. The overedge looper is mounted in a carrier having a sleeve which in turn is mounted for oscillation on a fixed shaft. The bushings engage the ends of the sleeve for confining the overedge looper to oscillations in a single plane and by adjusting the bushings the plane of oscillation may be shifted. Suitable lubricating means is provided for each looper supporting means.

Referring more in detail to the drawings the invent-ion is shown as applied to a sewing machine which includes a supporting bed 1. Mounted on suitable supports or lugs carried by the bed is a work support 2. Rising from the bed are standards 3 and 4 which are provided with bearings for the main actuating shaft 5. The shaft is driven by a belt wheel 6 located at one end thereof and carries a crank disk 7 at the other end thereof which is connected by a link 8 to a lug 9 on the needle bar 10. The needle bar reciprocates in a bearing 11 mounted in the needle head 12 which is carried by the standard 4.

The feeding mechanism includes a feed dog 13 carried by a feed bar 14. The feed bar 14 is suspended at its forward end by a link 15 connected to a stud 16 carried by a lever 17 which supports the trimming blade. Mounted on the main actuating shaft 5 is an eccentrically arranged member 19. As shown in the drawings it is in the form of an eccentric, and an eccentric strap 18 cooperating therewith is connected to the lever 17 and raises and lowers the same. As the main shaft rotates, the eccentrically arranged member 19 will impart rising and falling movements to the forward end of the feed bar, and will also, at the same time reciprocate the trimming blade which is carried thereby. The feed bar is pivoted at its rear end to a feed rocker 20 supported on the bed of the machine. Said feed rocker is provided with aforwardly projecting arm 21 which is slotted. Located on the main actuating shaft 5 is a second eccentrically arranged member 23 which also is in the form of an eccentric. Cooperating with this eccentrically arranged member is an eccentric strap 22 and the eccentric strap at its lower end is connected to a ball stud adjustably mounted in the slot in the arm 21. Thus it is that the feed bar and the trimming blade are actuated from the two eccentrically arranged members on the main actuating shaft. The trimming blade 24 is carried at the outer end of the lever 17 and said lever is pivoted to the standard supporting the actuating shaft as at 25. The parts which have just been described in detail, are shown, described and claimed in the Patent No. 1,7 51,508, to

Norman V. Christensen and Frederick F. Zeier, granted March 25, 1930.

Cooperating with the needle beneath the work support is an under looper 27. This under looper 27 is mounted in a looper carrier 28. The looper carrier 28 is provided with a sleeve mounted on a rock shaft 29 and secured thereto by a clamp screw 29. The rock shaft 29 is journaled in bushings 30 mounted in lugs carried by the supporting bed 1. Said bushings are secured in adjusted positions by screws 31. These bushings are so disposed'as to bear against the ends of the sleeve forming a part of the looper carrier 28. It is the bushings that confine the looper 27 to oscillation in a fixed plane. When it is desired to shift the plane of oscillation of the looper relative to the needle this can be'readily accomplished by adjusted positions of the bushings 30. It will be noted that the shaft is of uniform diameter throughout and no particular machining of the shaft is necessary. It is held to its oscillating position by these adjustable bushings cooperating with the ends of the sleeve forming a part of the looper carrier whichin turn is fixed to the shaft. One end of the shaft is provided with a flattened portion 32 to which is secured a ball stud 33 by the aid of a nut 34. On the main actuating shaft is an eccentrically arranged member 36. In the present embodiment of the invention it is shown as an eccentric. Cooperating with this eccentric is an eccentric strap 35, and the eccentric strap is connected to the ball stud 33. At the lower end of the eccentric strap is a forked member 37 which engages the opposite sides of the projection 38 extending out from the ball stud 33 and thus prevents any twisting of the eccentric strap 35.

Lubricant is supplied to the bearings for this shaft 29 through an oil cup 39. The lubricant is conducted to the hollow interior of the shaft 29 by an oil port 41. The oil is distributed through the bearings by oil holes 42. To insure the flow of the oil an air vent 43 leading from the hollow interior of the shaft is provided. As the main shaft rotates the train of mechanism just described will oscillate the under looper 27, and will give thereto a substantially uniform oscillation.

This provides a direct connection from an.

eccentric member on the main actuating shaft with the carrier which supports the under looper.

Cooperating with the under looper beneath the plane of the work support and with the needle above the work support is an overedge looper 44. Said overedge looper is mounted in an arm 45 formed as a part of the sleeve 46. The sleeve 46 is mounted for oscillation on a stationary shaft 47 The shaft is secured in bushings 48, 48 carried by suitable lugs mounted on the bed of the machine. Set screws 49 serve to secure the bushing'sand position shown in Fig. 4

shaft in fixed position. The inner ends of these bushings 48 engage the opposite end faces of the sleeve 46 and thus confine the overedge looper to a single plane of oscillation. By shifting these bushings the plane of oscillation may be shifted relative to the path of reciprocation of the needle and the plane of oscillation of the under looper. This oscillating sleeve is lubricated through the aid of an oil cup 50 located at one end of the shaft 47 and connected to a suitable port with the hollow interior 51 thereof. The inner surface of the sleeve 46 is recessed as indicated at 52, and this provides bearing portions for the sleeve at the ends only. The recess forms a reservoir for the oil. The oil is led from the interior of the shaft through ports 53 to the surface to be lubricated. To facilitate the flow of the oil an air vent 54 leads from the interior of the shaft to the end thereof.

The sleeve 46 is provided with a second arm 55 which is connected by a link 56 to an arm 57 of a rocking member 58. This rocking member 58 is provided with a sleeve which is mounted for oscillation on a shaft 59. Said rocking member 58 is also provided with a second arm 60 carrying a ball stud 61 secured thereto by a nut 62. On the main shaft is an eccentrically arranged member 64. As shown in the drawings this member is in the form of an eccentric. An eccentric strap 63 cooperating with the eccentric 64 is conlccted to said ball stud 61. A forked member 65 is mounted on the lower end of the eccentric strap and is adapted to engage a projection 66 on the ball stud 61 and this prevents the link from turning or twisting. The shaft 59 is mounted in bushings 67, which in turn are supported by lugs carried by the bed of the machine. Said bushings 57 are secured in adjusted position by a set screw 68. The inner ends of these bushings engage the ends of the sleeve forming a part of the rocking member 58 and thus confine this rocking member to oscillations in a fixed plane. By shifting these bushings the plane of oscillation of the rocking member can be shifted so as to bring the arm 57 into alinement with the arm 55 and the link 56. Suitable lubrication is supplied through the oil port 69.

The operation of the loopers will be apparent from the detailed description which has been given. When the loopers are in the they are fully retracted and the needle is all the way down and just about to begin its upward movement so as to throw out a needle loop. The under looper will engage the loop of needle thread and thus cooperates with the needle beneath the work. support. The under looper moves to the position indicated in Fig. 5 and as the overedge looper crosses the under looper it will move into the under looper thread loop ifsaidlonper is a thread carrying looper.

As shown in Fig. 6, the overedge looper is moved to the forward end of its stroke, and has positioned its thread loop for the needle to enter on its downward movement. The under looper is positively operated by a direct connection with an eccentric on the main actuating shaft and has a uniform oscillation with the usual dwells at the ends of its stroke. The overedge looper is operated by a train of devices from a separate eccentrically arranged member on the main actuating shaft and its oscillations are substantially uniform, although thereis a slight acceleration given to the looper as it approaches the forward end of its stroke due to the changing of the angular position of the link 56. By the independent trains of means for operating the two loopers they may be timed slightly different if desirable so as to bring about the best cooperative action between the two loopers and the needle, Furthermore, by the two independent. trains of devices the power strains are distributed on the shaft. By the use of the intermediate oscillating member for the over-edge looper the eccentrically arranged members may be set so that they are substantially opposed to each other on the actuating shaft. The machine is particularly designed for a high speed machine. All of the actuated parts are operated by eccentrically arranged members on the main actuating shaft and by relatively short and direct connect-ions therewith.

It will be understood that instead of eccentrics, cranks or anyother form of eccentrically arranged members may be used. It will also be understood that instead of an under thread carrying looper a non-thread carrying looper may be used, and also instead of an overedge. thread carrying looper a nonthread carrying overedge looper may be used Not only have looper operating devices been provided. which are positive and quick in their movements but each looper is mounted on a support so that the plane of oscillation of the loopers may be adjusted relative to each other andrelative to the needle so as to insure proper cooperation between these parts. The mounting for the loopers is very simple in construction and comparatively free from wear, and the parts are all well lubricated, all of which, as noted above, contributes to a very high speed smoothly running machine.

It is obvious that minor changes in the details of construction and arrangement of parts may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

Having thus fully described our invention what we claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. The combination of a work support, a stitch forming mechanism, a feeding'mechanism, and an actuating shaft: arranged above the plane of the work support and disposed so as to extend in the general direction of the feed, said stitch forming mechanism including an under looper mounted beneath the work support, an eccentrically arranged member on the shaft, means cooperating with said eccentrically arranged member and connected to the looper for oscillating the same, an overedge looper mounted beneath the work support, a second eccentrically arranged member on said shaft, and means cooperating therewith and connected to said overedge looper for oscillating the same.

2. The combination of a work support, a stitch forming mechanism, a feeding mechanism, and an actuating shaft arranged above the plane of the work support and disposed so as to extend in the general direction of the feed, said stitch forming mechanism includu ing an under looper mounted beneath the work support, an eccentrically arranged member on said shaft, means cooperating with said member and connected to the looper for oscillating the same, an overedge looper mounted beneath the work support, an oscillating rocker mounted beneath the work support and connected to said over-edge looper for oscillating the same, a second eccentrically arranged member on said shaft, and means cooperating therewith and connected to said rocker for oscillating the same.

3. The combination of a work support, a stitch forming mechanism, a feeding mechanism, and an actuating shaft arranged above the plane of the work support and disposed so as to extend in the general direction of the feed, said stitch forming mechanism including an under looper, a carrier therefor mounted beneath the work support, an eccentric on said shaft, an eccentric strap cooperating therewith and directly connected to said looper carrier for oscillating the same, an overedge looper, a carrier for said overedge looper mounted beneath the work support, a second eccentric member on said shaft, and means operated thereby and connected to said carrier for the overedge looper for oscillating the same.

4. The combination of a work support, a stitch forming mechanism, a feeding mechanism, and an actuating shaft arranged above the plane of the work support and disposed so as to extend in the general feed, said stitch forming mechanism including an under looper, a carrier therefor mounted beneath the work support, an eccentric on said shaft, an eccentric strap cooperating therewith and directly connected to said looper carrier for oscillating the same, an overedge looper, a carrier for said overedge looper mounted beneath the work support, a rocker mounted beneath the work support having an arm connected by a link to said carrier for the overedge looper, an eccentric on said shaft, and an eccentric strap cooperdirection of the same, an overedge looper mounted beneath the work support, a second eccentrically arranged member on said shaft, and meansoperated thereby and connected to said overedge looper for oscillating the same.

6. An overedge stitch forming mechanism including a work support, a main actuating shaft located above the work support, an under looper, a carrier supporting said under looper mounted beneath the work support, an eccentrically arranged member on said shaft, a device cooperating with said eccen trically arranged member and directly connected to said looper carrier for oscillating the same, an overedge looper, a carrier mounted beneath the work support for said overedge looper, a second eccentrically arranged member on said shaft, and means cooperating with said eccentrically arranged member and connected to said carrier for the overedge looper for oscillating the same.

7. An overedge stitch forming mechanism includinga work support, a main actuating shaft located above the work support, an

under looper, a carrier supporting said under looper mounted beneath the work support, an eccentrically arranged member on said shaft, a device cooperating with said eccentrical'ly arranged member and directly connected to said looper carrier for osillating the same, an overedge looper, a carrier mounted beneath the work support for said overedge looper, a rocker mounted beneath the work support and having an arm connected by a link to the carrier for the overedge looper, a second eccentrically arranged member on said shaft, and a device cooperating with said second eccentrically arranged member and connected to said rocker for oscillating the same.

8. In a sewing machine, a work support, a needle, an overedge looper, an under loopercooperating with the needle beneath the work support and with said overedge looper, a"

shaft, a carrier for said under looper including a. sleevefixed to said shaft, spaced supporting members for said shaft, bushings carried by said members for supporting said shaft, said bushings engaging the ends of the sleeve, means for holding said bushings in adjusted positions, said shaft having a recess therein for receiving lubricant, ports leading from said recess to said bushings, means for supplying a lubricant to said recess, and

means for venting the recess.

9. In a sewing machine, a work support,

a needle, an overedge looper, an under looper cooperating with the needle beneath the work support and. with said overedge looper, a shaft, spaced supporting members disposed beneath the work support, adjustable bushings carried by said supporting members in which said shaft is mounted, means for rigidly and adjustably securing said bushings and shaft to said supporting members, and a carrier for the overedge looper having a sleeve mounted on said shaft between said bushings, said bushings engaging the ends of said sleeve.

10. In a sewing machine, a work support, a needle, an overedge looper, an under looper cooperating with the needle beneath the work support and with said overedge looper, a shaft, spaced supporting members disposed beneath the work support, adjustable bushings carried by said supporting members in which said shaft is mounted, means for rigidly and adjustably securing said bushings and shaft to said supporting members, a carrier for the overedge looper having a sleeve mounted on said shaft between said bushings, said bushings engaging the ends of said sleeve, said shaft having a recess therein, ports leading from said recess to the inner face of the sleeve, means for supplying said recess with oil, and means for venting said recess.

11. A sewing machine including in combination a work support, a looper, a looper carrier having a supporting sleeve, ashaft extending freely through said sleeve, means for supporting said shaft in a fixed position, and means associated with the shaft and engaging the ends of the sleeve for confining the sleeve and the looper to an oscillation in a fixed plane, said means engaging the sleeve being adjustable fOr shifting laterally the plane of oscillation of the looper.

12. A sewing machine including in combination a work support, a looper, a looper carrier having a supporting sleeve, a shaft extending freely through said sleeve, means for supporting said shaft in a fixed position, means associated with the shaft and engaging the ends of the sleeve for confining the sleeve and the looper to an oscillation in a fixed plane, said means engaging the sleeve being adjustable for shifting laterally the plane of oscillation of the looper, said sleeve having an annular recess on its inner surface intermediate its ends forming end bearings, said shaft having a recess for a lubricant, and ports leading therefrom to the bearings in the sleeve.

13. A sewing machine including in combination a work support, a looper, a looper carrier having a supporting sleeve, a shaft extending freely through said sleeve, means for supporting said shaft in a fixed position, means associated with the shaft and engaging the ends of the sleeve for confining the sleeve and the looper to an oscillation in a fixed plane, said means engaging the sleeve being adjustable for shifting laterally the plane of oscillation of the looper, said sleeve having an annular recess on its inner surface intermediate its ends forming end bearings, said shaft having a recess for a lubricant, ports leading therefrom to the bearings in the sleeve, means for supplying a lubricant to said shaft, and means for venting said recess in the shaft.

14. In a sewing machine, a work support, a needle, an overedge looper, an under looper cooperating with the needle beneath the work support and with the overedge looper, said loopers being mounted on supporting devices for oscillation about substantially parallel axes, and means for actuating said loopers, said oscillating supporting devices being capable of adjustment longitudinally of the axes of oscillation whereby the paths of the loopers may be shifted for proper cooperation with each other and with the needle.

In testimony whereof, we affix our signatures.

FREDERICK F. ZEIER, CHARLES F. RUBEL. 

